One person's woodworking journey, with a focus on handtools, a nod to the past, and an appreciation for the creative spirit.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Stalled Horse

I've been talking about making a shaving horse for a while now. So what's the hold up?

It's because I keep finding images of benches with features that I'd like to incorporate into mine and because of woodworkers like Ian McLeod from Australia (pictured with his shop dog, Woody), who sent me photos of his functional and beautiful shaving horse.Ian used reclaimed iron bark wood from a 1904 foot bridge for his self-designed, multi-use bench that functions as a shaving horse, saw horse, planing bench, general work table, and metal bending jig.

The bridge can be removed by knocking out wooden wedges and removing the spindle on which it pivots. At that point, the four short spindles that sit beneath the bridge can be used for bending light metal rod.When the bridge, the head/footrest assembly, and the seat are removed (all attached with wooden wedges), the top surface of the side rails can be used as a workbench. The rectangular post that hangs beneath the shaving horse is used as a bench stop.Ian hand carved the decorative designs. The color and texture of the wood is natural and is finished with Danish oil once a year.

Ian's shaving horse is an impressive example of where form and function are equally important.

The group photo page below shows shaving horses and bowl benches I found on the internet. I don't remember where they were originally posted, so if you see one that belongs to you please let me know so I can give you credit. Or let me know if you prefer that I remove your image(s) from this post.

I think I've been working (on and off) on the 18th century folding field bedstead for about five years. My last big research project related to it is 18th century clear finishes. Almost done, hope to debut it at our first event Memorial Day weekend at Vincennnes.

Holy moly that is some contraption! I'm going to have to spend some time staring at it just to figure out all the parts. And the wood is really beautiful! I sympathize with how doing research can end up paralyzing you with indecision. Just go for it. You'll probably eventually want to make another one anyway and incorporate some things you will learn from actually using the horse, so the the sooner you get started on that part of the "research" the better. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

I started my bench last weekend, just making it out of big box fir and some scrap oak that I have. This morning I was watching the Woodwright shop and saw Brian Bogg's shaving bench. May have to build a second bench in the future. lol

I built Drew Langsner's shaving horse several years ago. Very simple and functional. I was at Scout camp in NH that summer and saw a bunch of oaks they had felled to clear for a new shower house, so I ran home and brought it back with a box of tools. For a couple sunny afternoons several of us Scoutmasters worked in the shade by the pond making a little rustic slab side-table. Pure woodworking bliss. I couldn't quite remember Don Weber's side table, so I did legs similar to the shaving horse.

Al, I imagine that many of us can relate to the idea of not knowing when to "jump" into a project.

Sgt42RHR, those are cool beds. I saw a reproduction of George Washington's campaign bed last year at the Fort Frederick Market Faire in MD. It's easy to see how it could take a very long time to build one.

Kathy, isn't it cool??? When I first saw the photos, it looked so much like handtooled leather, not wood. I think what sometimes paralyzes people into starting a project is that so many of us have such little time to spend in our shops, we don't want it to be "wasted" on building something that isn't "perfect." You're right, though—you just have to start.

Bob, indeed! The internet has changed our woodworking world for the better. There's so much good information out there.

Bill, good advice, as always.

Jeff, Brian's bench is great--well thought out and efficient. Did you catch the bit about tilting the seat forward so that your feet naturally push into the footrest. Subtle feature, but an important one.

Vic, I bet Sylvia wouldn't mind having your shaving horse in the living room. What a conversation piece. ; )

Steve, that sounds like heaven to me.

Tico, thanks for the reminder. I hadn't watched that video yet on Robin's site.

Hi Kari - I used a shaving horse last summer (what there was of it) which was pretty basic in it's construction...it worked very well though. Even more fun is to build and use a pole lathe, for green spindle wood turning, surprisingly hard work!Something else guaranteed to make you feel less guilty about tucking into that bucket of ice cream...Rob